Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Biologist IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Biologist IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Biologist IV in the United States is $120,870 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

However, a Biologist IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $142,311
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,817 to $132,093
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,933
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Biologist IV Salaries

A Biologist IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Biologist IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Biologist IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Biologist I (0-2 years): $57,840
  • Biologist II (2-4 years): $66,838
  • Biologist III (4-7 years): $83,428
  • Biologist IV (7+ years): $120,870
  • Biologist V (7-10 years): $137,002
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Biologist I0-2 years$57,840
Biologist II2-4 years$66,838
Biologist III4-7 years$83,428
Biologist IV7+ years$120,870
Biologist V7-10 years$137,002
View as Graph

How Do Biologist IVs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Biologist IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $133,827.
  • California: $133,320.
  • Massachusetts: $131,543.

Top Paying Cities for Biologist IV

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $152,453
  • San Francisco: $150,784
  • Oakland: $147,606

What Skills Can Increase a Biologist IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 14.51% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Immunology (Mentioned in 3.43% Job Postings): Immunology is the study of the immune system and is a very important branch of the medical and biological sciences. The immune system protects us from infection through various lines of defence.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.01% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 14.51%
Immunology 3.43%
SOP 2.01%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Biologist IV's salary.

  • Drug Discovery: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Oncology: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Discovery $157,131
30%
Commitment $157,131
30%
Oncology $153,505
27%
Get Latest Data

Biologist IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Biologist IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,271. While startup companies pay approximate $114,622.

Biologist IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $114,622
Growth Stage 51~500 $121,173
Established 501~5000 $130,678
Enterprise 5000+ $135,271

Biologist IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Biologist IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Biologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Biologist IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Biologist IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$151,088$73.025%
Energy & Utilities$145,044$70.020%
Biotechnology$139,000$67.015%
Healthcare$132,957$64.010%
Chemicals$130,540$63.08%

How Education impacts an Biologist IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Biologist IV enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Biologist IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Biologist IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Biologist IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 20.0%
High School 28.0%
Associates 52.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 28.0%
Doctorate 52.0%
View as Graph

Biologist IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Biologist IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$107,817
Average $120,870/year
$132,093
$8,985
Average $10,073/month
$11,008
$2,073
Average $2,324/week
$2,540
$52
Average $58/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,093 $11,008 $2,540 $64
Average $120,870 $10,073 $2,324 $58
25th Percentile $107,817 $8,985 $2,073 $52

Biologist IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Biologist IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Biologist IV, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologist V $137,002 13%
Geologist V $131,059 8%
Geophysicist V $192,094 59%
Microbiologist V $133,864 11%

Most common benefits for Biologist IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Biologist IV

Here are companies hiring for Biologist IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Biologist IV Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Biologist IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Biologist IV

1. Where can a Biologist IV earn the most?

A Biologist IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Biologist IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Biologist IV is $152,453.

2. What is the highest pay for Biologist IV?

The highest pay for Biologist IV is $142,311.

3. What is the lowest pay for Biologist IV?

The lowest pay for Biologist IV is $95,933.

4. What are the responsibilities of Biologist IV?

Uncovers and verifies the specific molecular "weak spots" of a disease through rigorous laboratory testing to provide the essential data needed to turn a discovery into a real-world medicine. Pinpoints exactly how a sickness develops and how new treatments can safely stop it by studying the chemical processes of cells and microorganisms. Isolates key proteins to ensure experimental drugs are both effective and non-toxic. Typically requires a PhD. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Biologist IV?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Biologist IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job